Press Release

FORT MYERS, FL - Florida Gulf Coast University invites students, faculty and the public to engage in an interdisciplinary discussion about "Global Warming Solutions for America" at the FGCU Climate Change Teach-In beginning 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30 in the Student Union.

The day begins with a national teach-in during which faculty from across the curriculum at FGCU will offer ten minute presentations about topics related to global warming from the perspective of their disciplines. The first session opens the day with a Plenary on "The Science of Climate Change," with concurrent pairs of interdisciplinary panels running throughout the day.

The sessions conclude with two evening events. The first event titled, "Green Democracy," begins at 5:30 p.m., and engages local, state and federal politicians in discussing political solutions to the climate change issue. The event will be a nonpartisan look at what we can do as a region, a state, and a nation to engage the issue of global climate change.

The second event begins at 8 p.m. and includes a live, interactive webcast called the "2% Solution." To hold global warming to the low end of 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit will require cuts in global warming pollution in the developed countries by more than 80 percent below current levels by 2050. Thus, a roughly 2 percent cut a year for the next forty years would be necessary. FGCU joins Stanford University climate scientist Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins, green jobs pioneer Van Jones, and youth climate leaders for a discussion of global warming solutions. An opportunity to weigh in with cell phone voting will be available during the event.

"Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America is an unprecedented educational initiative, involving over a thousand colleges, universities, high and middle schools, faith groups, civic organizations and businesses," associate dean and professor of the College of Arts and Sciences Jim Wohlpart said.

"The intent of Focus the Nation is to create a serious, sustained, and truly national discussion about climate change and clean energy solutions, linking students and citizens directly with our political leaders."

FGCU is partnering with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on this national teach-in. Rookery Bay will be holding sessions on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 10:30 a.m.to 3 p.m. For more information, see http://www.rookerybay.org/pdfs/Focus-the-Nation-Poster.pdf or contact Sarah Falkowski, Program Coordinator at (239) 417-6310 ext. 413.

For more information on FGCU's event, visit http://www.fgcu.edu/FocusTheNation/ or contact Wohlpart at (239) 590-7181 or Wohlpart@fgcu.edu. For more information on the national teach-in, visit http://www.focusthenation.org/. All events are free and open to the public.